Thursday, November 29, 2001

Sports briefs
Hurricanes, Gators may meet in Rose Bowl

PASADENA (AP) — The way this kooky season is going, it seems only fitting two teams from Florida could wind up playing for the national championship in California.

No. 1 Miami can clinch a spot in the Rose Bowl with a victory over No. 14 Virginia Tech on Saturday, while No. 2 Florida can take a giant step toward the Bowl Championship Series’ title game in Pasadena by beating No. 5 Tennessee at The Swamp.

The Hurricanes (10-0) and Gators (9-1), also first and second in the BCS standings, are double-digit favorites against traditionally dangerous foes. But that doesn’t mean victory will come easily. Miami hasn’t won in Blacksburg since 1992 (0-3), and dropped five in a row in the series until last year’s 41-21 win at the Orange Bowl.

“You can’t look past a Virginia Tech team, especially in Blacksburg, because you’ll end up crying and sitting home like Nebraska or Oklahoma,” cornerback Markese Fitzgerald said.